At his official unveiling back in January, Eddie Jones said the Bledisloe Cup was a “priority” but interestingly added it wouldn’t be the “be-all and end-all” in 2023 because of the looming World Cup.
More recently, Jones reiterated that every move he was making this year was with the World Cup firmly in mind.
“I came into the job with the intention of getting the team ready for the World Cup given the short period of time, so that’s always been the intention,” he said on Saturday.
“These games, as important as they are, and certainly against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup we treat it with the utmost importance, I’ve got to find out who the best 33 is for Australia and this is just part of the process.”
With that in mind, and time running out for Jones to settle on his 33-man World Cup squad, could the veteran coach be about to go bold and give the next generation the chance to steal the show by naming Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon in the halves to take on the All Blacks at the MCG?
What’s more, could McDermott lead the side for their Bledisloe opener?
Tate McDermott should start against the All Blacks in Melbourne. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
With Michael Hooper not likely to be risked because of a calf injury and the Wallabies in desperate need of some ball runners, could James Slipper come off the bench behind the damaging Angus Bell, leaving Jones in need of a new skipper?
As well as saying the Wallabies might need several captains throughout the year, Jones has spoken of the Wallabies needing to embody the “digger” spirit out on the field.
Few show it better than McDermott, who wears his heart on his sleeve and is always prepared to have a crack.
He not only keeps defenders guessing around the ruck, but the Reds halfback throws himself into contact too.
Tate McDermott in action during a Wallabies training session on July 25, 2023 in Melbourne. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
While there have always been questions about McDermott’s pass, his speed to the breakdown and ability to probe around the ruck is second to none.
For him to succeed, the Wallabies will need to ensure they get over the gain line and vastly improve their breakdown work to ensure clean, quick ball.
No team goes out onto the field expecting to lose those areas. If they do, they shouldn’t be there.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones (C) chats with his coaching team during a training session on July 25, 2023 in Melbourne. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
But Jones needs to discover more about McDermott because the lack of tempo in the Wallabies’ game currently is telling, with neither Nic White (33) and Quade Cooper (35) looking especially threatening for opposition defences.
Asked about whether the Wallabies had enough potency in the two playmaking positions, Jones said it could be a factor but added that Cooper was still in the early stages of his comeback from a season-ending Achilles injury.
“I think there’s two points there,” Jones said.
“Firstly, we’ve got a number of players coming back from long-term injuries and as much as we’d like them to be at their best now they’re not going to be at their best until the World Cup, and we’ve got a plan in place to get each player back to their best, so this is a part of the process.
“We don’t know where Quade’s going to end up, he’s four games into returning from an Achilles tendon, Samu Kerevi’s three or four games back from an ACL, and they’re serious injuries, so with better exposure to quality training and rugby training over the next period of time, they’re going to get a lot sharper with time.
“So, your comment about pace may be relevant, may not be relevant.”
Meanwhile, Gordon has impressed Jones all year after a much-improved Super Rugby season where he stepped out of the shadow of Matt To’omua and showed he belonged.
At his April training camp, Gordon was the one figure who stood out to Jones.
Carter Gordon’s defence is a feature of his game no other Australian playmaker has. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Although he returned a quieter figure with Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley running the show in early June, Gordon continued to take Jones’ eye.
Nor has his eye let him down, with Gordon showing he’s a player for the future after promising Tests against the Springboks and Pumas.
In difficult situations, Gordon stood tall.
First in Pretoria, next playing out of position in Sydney against Los Pumas.
A Test against the All Blacks would represent another stern challenge for the 22-year-old.
What’s there to lose in throwing the youngsters into the fray ahead of White and Cooper?
As Jones said on Saturday, no one outside of the Wallabies expects the men in gold to win.
Carter Gordon has had a promising start to his international career. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Should they succeed, it will prove both men, regardless of whether they start at the World Cup or not, are ready for the big stage.
After all, 80,000 people are expected to turn up at the MCG.
If they struggle, Jones can return to experience knowing much more about his wider squad.
It’s a win-win for a side not expected to challenge the All Blacks.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
Hahaha that was my first thought!! Nothing like a well timed barb that happens to be true ????
Paul
Roar Rookie
I agree to a point in that the halfway line is the furthest point from the seats. RA and the ticketing agencies never pick up that the best places to watch are from the corners, not from the side. I've always been quite happy with the oblique view over the corner posts, I do the same at AAMI Park with GA seating because of the elevated view which still has a bit of depth across the length and width of the field.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Apologies TJ, if I come across as condescending. These boards are littered with simple solutions to complex problems. Your original comment for mine looked simplistic. And my responses have been to your actual words. Your ‘glad the selectors agree with me Ken’ looks misplaced, since I also think Carter, at least, should get a run, but for other reasons than to be young, fast and brave. Yours reads like a simple solution in the complex context of Eddie re-writing the definition of Sensible Rugby Game Plan.
WEST
Roar Guru
Expecting around 80,000 :thumbup: pity it’s such a vast stadium, not great to watch from the stand.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I think you’re being incredibly condescending.
Butch
Roar Rookie
What’s missing in most odd the comments on the team makeup is the need for fetchers - we have had none to date - Thugby commented on it. We need some players like Wilkins in the forwards to contest every ruck
Guess
Roar Rookie
You should be more honest Christy
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
The two mullet men together are interesting prospects, especially in that baptism of fire against the All Blacks
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Who has performed better at 10 for the wallabies than Quade in the last decade?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
TJ, with respect ‘via Gordon and McDermott’ is not a game plan. Neither is ‘fast’. And to be clear, I’m happy for the selectors to select the young ones, for reasons I’ve mentioned here for quite a while.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or hear me out here…. Keep one and replace the other so you can understand if that works… Or even better. Drop the game plan based on 30% possession which we know doesn’t work to start.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He could not let the dice go and say he did and that both were sixes. Now all we need is a ref that agrees. Where do you guys buy yours?
moaman
Roar Guru
Eddie could roll 2 and 1 and still claim it was competitive.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Revelation! Finally, you bloke seem to accept there is a problem. They say that’s the first step. No let’s keep picking a 9 and 10 combo that does not work.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
I know you think QC is the best 10 we have had for years but his performances don’t suggest that. You can’t blame me for reality. I know their both going to France, I don’t have to believe it’s a good idea.
RD
Roar Rookie
Hi Christy, whilst I agree with you on most. I would like to see Kerevi Leading with Valentino his deputy for this game. Let the Fijian brothers have a go. I prefer Ryan Lonergren be given crack. His core skills (crisp pass, speed to ball, box kicking as well as place kicking) Tate's pass is floaty and his kicking game is in its infancy
Mike88
Roar Rookie
If everything leaked is true seems to be firming as Tate.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
And was it a hunch, or a lunch? Haha. Based on the last presser, it seems Christy is asking the right questions and getting the right answers! I understand re Slipps he's been a stalwart for so long. For me, it's not just scrums - I just feel like Bell can bend the line more and be more dominant in defence. I don't see an area where Slipper has the advantage over Bell and I feel the ABs have seen him off too many times. But I'll admit front row is outside my wheelhouse.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
New blood that hasn’t been flogged by the all blacks for 20years is a good choice and QC has never had much success against the all blacks. Take QC as a target away from the all blacks. I can see either CG or Tate making a break and the other one in support. Go get ‘em boys.
Ben Elvy
Roar Rookie
Well Dean, it seems Christy was just priming us for the decision...